Monday 26 June 2023
UKTV's free-to-air entertainment channel W and catch-up service UKTV Play have commissioned a brand-new documentary series which follows the unfiltered lives of celebrity couple, actress and radio presenter, Gemma Atkinson, and professional dancer, Gorka Márquez. Produced by Two Rivers Media, Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens (3x60') will air on W and UKTV Play this Summer.
Gemma and Gorka fell in love in front of the nation on Strictly Come Dancing, and now, for the first time, they are offering exclusive access into their busy lives as they embark on an exciting new phase of their life together. They will be sharing the intimate details of what life is like as they document the imminent arrival of their second child. With hectic schedules, both at home and on the road, this series will be a no holds barred account of what it's like to juggle work with a growing family.
Gemma and Gorka said:
We're so excited to be working with W on a project which not only takes people into our lives behind closed doors but also one that raises awareness of Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Delivery (VBAC) and an honest look into the journey of a second pregnancy after a previous traumatic birth. We get lots of questions from people who have experienced similar so it will be a great way for viewers to receive information from professionals who we meet along the way.
Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens has been commissioned by Helen Nightingale, head of factual and factual entertainment, and ordered by Adam Collings, channel director for W and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. The series will be exec produced by Lizi Wootton, working alongside series producer Biança Barker, self-shooting producer and director Amanda Barnes, and development producer Sophie Scott.
Helen Nightingale said:
I'm thrilled to be commissioning this new series, Gemma and Gorka are a hilariously down to earth and relatable couple who I can't wait for audiences to get to know better, both as a couple and family unit, as they navigate through the ups and downs of their expanding family.
Adam Collings said:
We're honoured to have Gemma and Gorka's new documentary series as part of our programming line-up on W. Viewers will get an intimate glimpse into the lives of Gemma and Gorka behind the scenes and it's sure to be a fun, heart-warming and enjoyable series that is a perfect fit for our audience.
Lizi Wootton, executive producer for Two Rivers Media added:
Two Rivers Media is delighted to be going behind the scenes of Gemma and Gorka's lives at such an incredibly special time for their family. With the impending birth of their second child, we can't wait to share their unfiltered story with the W audience who will be captivated by the warmth, humour, honesty and sparkle Gemma, Gorka and daughter Mia bring to every scene of the series.
Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens will air on W and UKTV Play in the Summer. This is the latest addition to W's growing slate of content recently announced including a special at home episode of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over and the upcoming documentary series Katie Piper's Jailhouse Mums.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Shannon Bulmer, Publicist, UKTV
About W
Freeview 25, Sky 132/827 (HD), Virgin 125/211 (HD), Freesat 156
W is a TV channel passionate about people and finding the joy in everyday moments. Its quality mix of UKTV Originals featuring heart-warming shows led by some of the UK's most-loved talent, and uplifting series shining a light on heroic emergency services, are complemented by high quality acquisitions.
W shows tap into the raw and genuine heart swell moments, from emotions running high at the sound of a baby's first cry in the award-winning Emma Willis: Delivering Babies, to heart-stopping drama for the incredible frontline workers in Inside the Ambulance, Nurses on the Ward and 999 Rescue Squad. Elsewhere, award-winning documentary maker Stacey Dooley offers an unfiltered insight into unseen areas of modern relationships and family life in the hit series Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, while Rochelle Humes helps deserving families transform their homes in Rochelle Humes: Interior Designer in the Making.
W is also the exclusive home to the joyfully competitive MasterChef franchise, including MasterChef Australia, MasterChef USA and MasterChef Juniors.
About UKTV Play
UKTV Play is an on demand TV service providing instant access to shows from UKTV's free-to-air channels - Dave, W, Yesterday and Drama.
With the easy-to-use UKTV Play app you can browse and stream hundreds of shows for free via your computer, tablet or smart phone. You can also watch on the telly thanks to Freeview Play, Amazon Fire TV, YouView, Samsung TV, Apple TV, Freesat, NOW and Roku.
If you're a Sky or Virgin Media customer, shows from other great UKTV channels - Gold, Alibi, and Eden - are also on the menu.
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.
UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
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